OWAMENCIN >> Greta Steege doesn’t guess.
Conestoga’s sophomore goalkeeper won’t allow something as important as stopping a penalty kick come down to simple guess work. With the season riding on the line in a spot kick shootout against Pennridge in the PIAA-4A quarterfinals, Steege had the ability to extend the Pioneers’ season in her hands.
The keeper delivered, saving two kicks including the clincher as Conestoga edged Pennridge 4-3 in the shootout after a 0-0 double overtime war on Saturday at North Penn.
“I knew I didn’t have to save it but I wanted to do it for my team,” Steege said. “You have to be confident in PKs. It’s all a mental battle, so you have to think you’re going to save it in order to save it.”
Steege wasn’t just a PK hero either, as her diving save on Rams senior Riley Hepler in the second half of regulation was a major reason the game even went to extra time. Unlike last Friday, when the Pioneers took down the Rams 3-1 in the District 1 third place game, everything was that much more important on Saturday.
The season ends for Pennridge, meaning there will be a new state champion in Class 4A this fall. It was an emotional final team huddle for the group, certainly enhanced by how much the players had put into getting their injury-riddled squad this far.
Hepler, playing on a bad knee the last two games, gave everything she had as did all of her teammates from the starters to the underclassmen who have had to fill in as reserves with the lineup so depleted.
“I’ve grown up with these girls, I’ve watched this program and ever since I was little, I wanted to be here,” senior Leah Malone said. “I just hope I did my job and I hope I can set that standard for the younger girls coming up and I’m just so proud of the whole team and how we’ve been playing.”
Pennridge wanted another shot at Conestoga to show that the first meeting wasn’t who they really were as a team. Despite winning, the Pioneers also wanted another faceoff with the defending state champions as well.
During last year’s pandemic-altered season, the Pioneers didn’t get to experience the postseason. Having to go through the state champions was their way of making sure they belonged in this fall’s state tournament.
“The last game, I feel like they were the better team by far even though we won,” Pioneers defender Haleigh Wintersteen said. “If you’re a senior, it’s terrifying. It’s your last year playing high school with all your friends, so it means a lot and everyone puts their heart on the line hoping to get something and today we did.”
Conestoga’s defensive effort was outstanding and Steege heaped plenty of credit on her backs for all the work they did against Pennridge’s front line and midfield. Wintersteen, a senior who just seemed to keep appearing in key moments to break up a play, said everything started in the middle.
Prior to the match, Pioneers coach Ben Wilson put holding mids Bella Rios and Megan Daly up to task and they delivered with their efforts marking Hepler, Sophie Craig, Hannah Primwhere and even Malone when she dropped back.
“It’s incredible,” Wintersteen said. “The way Bella Rios slides and constantly puts her body on the line is insane and Meg Daly, they’re both seniors, their job is easier said than done so all credit to them.”
Heart was something Pennridge had in droves. They created chances and also withstood them, with senior keeper Sierra Shaeffer turning in a final resolute performance between the posts including a couple gutsy saves of her own in the second half.
The senior, a field player by trade, knew Saturday’s effort encapsulated this year’s team.
“It shows we play for each other, we’re selfless and we don’t make excuses, we just play our hearts out no matter the outcome,” Shaeffer said. “I think it shows our passion for the game and for each other. For the little girls watching us who are going to come here, they look up to us to set a standard.”
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Conestoga keeper Greta Steege made some critical saves in regulation and the shootout to advance past Pennridge.
(Andrew Robinson/For MediaNews Group)
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